Comcast Expands "Internet Essentials" Program for Low-Income Families

Comcast announced the expansion of a low-cost broadband Internet service for low-income families yesterday. The service, labeled "Internet Essentials," provides a five-megabit per second high-speed connection for $9.95 per month, the option to purchase a $149.99 computer, and free training classes. The service is available to families with at least one child eligible for the National School Lunch Program, which provides free or low-cost school lunches. Comcast was required to develop this low-cost Internet service as a result of it's acquisition of NBC.

A similar "Starter Internet" offering from Time Warner discussed on this blog was announced with much fanfare from KCK and KCMO mayors last November. The $10 Time Warner offering expired in January 2013, but provided the service and a low-cost computer to eligible families participating in the same school lunch program.

Comcast has some additional requirements which may limit eligibility for the service like not having been a Comcast customer within 90 days of application for Internet Essentials -- a frank discussion about this requirement is on the Comcast website.

In addition to the low-cost Internet service Comcast offers digital literacy training classes. These classes are available in both online and in-person formats. A quick check found four locations in the 64129 zip code in Kansas City (see image below).

And the third part of the Internet Essentials offering is the sale of a $150 computer at enrollment time. I was unable to find information about the type of computer Comcast is selling after searching off the Comcast site.

Free Comcast computer training sessions available 
near the 64129 zipcode area.

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